Missouri to Austin or Portland?? Help (Dallas: college, living in, internship)

[dundermifflin]

Hello - I am will be graduating from college this summer with a degree in urban planning. I must complete an internship this summer before I can get my degree. I am from Missouri but I really want to find an internship somewhere else and not move back. I am looking into Portland, OR and Austin, TX. I am looking for a place that is fairly liberal (where I am from in Missouri it is painfully conservative). The weather in Portland seems ok but the winters seem like they can be depressing. The summers in Austin seem hot but my sister lives there and really thinks I would like it. I never imagined myself living in Texas but who knows what will happen. I am just looking for some times and/ or advise. I have also thought about Denver and DC and, God forbid (according to this website) Dallas. I also thought about Florida but this website seems to have nothing great to say about FL. I just could not come up with a city I was that interested there... Thanks

[tahoma14410]

If you're going to live anyplace in Texas...especially with your stated liberal tendencies, Austin is your best bet. I believe either one would suffice...I have two pending job offers in both PDX and AUS...I am currently in AUS.

[dundermifflin]

So you have been to both? I have only been to Austin. Was Portland what you thought it was going to be like? Have you decided if you are going to make the move to PDX?

[tahoma14410]

I've lived in Austin for over ten years...usually fly to PDX at least twice a year to visit relatives. Both are very similar to each other...size, political leanings, vibe, culture, etc. You just have to ask yourself can you put up with the cold and damp from Sept. through April/May or can you deal with the 95-98 high/78-80 low temps in Austin from May until October...you just have to pick your poison. Of course, summers in PDX or fantastic, and fall/springs in Austin are beautiful.

[mwv]

Austinites have a noticeably higher education level than Portlanders. In addition, Austin has a far superior business environment and somewhat better job opportunities. There are way more jobs in Austin, but the competition is fierce because UT Austin and Texas State (near Austin) produce so many graduates who want to stay in the area.

Portland however is much better laid out and feels more like a real city than Austin. (Austin is catching up quickly in this regard and will surpass Portland in 10 years however.) The suburbs, as everywhere, more or less feel the same.

Austin (since it is a state capital) is more political than Portland and it's more politically balanced as well. There's more live music in Austin.

Portland is much more naturally beautiful and has more options for nature-oriented activities.

Both cities have lots of refugees from coastal California. The wealthier and more educated escapees tend to go to Austin; the more liberal/earthy types seem to prefer Portland.